New research shows shocking safe driving priorities

New research shows that some drivers have mixed-up priorities while they are behind the wheel – and there are serious road safety implications.

Aussie drivers have some disturbing driving habits.

Dashcam maker Nextbase asked more than 1000 Aussies if they would drive more carefully with certain items on board.

Surprisingly 44 per cent of people said they would be more vigilant when driving with a new TV on board, compared with just 36 per cent who would be more cautious if their spouse was in the car.

About 30 per cent of the respondents said they would drive more safely if they had a pet in the car. Only 33 per cent would take fewer risks during a double demerits points blitz, which happens in the ACT, NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.

Aussies are more likely to driver safer with a new TV on board than their spouse.

Nextbase boss Richard Browning says dashcams can help hold drivers accountable and influence their driving behaviour.

“We know that 25 per cent of Australians have a dashcam installed in their car, with that number steadily rising, and that added layer of accountability will hopefully have an ongoing influence on the behaviour of other motorists,” says Mr Browning.

“When our actions can be played back to hold us accountable, we are less likely to take unnecessary risks on the road,” he says.

Children have the most positive effect on Aussie drivers.

Aussie drivers were most likely to change their driving habits if they had children in the car. More than 50 per cent said they drove more carefully in that situation.

Having children in the car can be a massive distraction for drivers. In 2019 claims data from AAMI Insurance showed that the afternoon school run was the most common time for accidents.

Past research from Finder also revealed that parents reaching into the back seat to deal with kids was one of the most common bad road habits Aussies admitted to.

Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of road fatalities in the country.

The NSW Centre for Road Safety says that if you take your eyes off the road for just two seconds you’ll travel blind for more than 33 metres when going 60km/h. This jumps to more than 55 metres when going 100km/h.